easyMultiple Choice
Troubleshooting Self-Hosted Integration Runtime Timeout in Azure Data Factory
You are implementing a data pipeline using Azure Data Factory. The source is an on-premises SQL Server database. Which Azure Data Factory component is required to connect to the on-premises data source?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the Self-hosted Integration Runtime with the Azure Integration Runtime, not realizing that only the self-hosted variant can bridge on-premises and cloud networks, while the Azure IR is restricted to cloud-to-cloud scenarios.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Self-hosted Integration Runtime
A self-hosted integration runtime (IR) is required to connect Azure Data Factory to on-premises SQL Server because it provides the compute environment for data movement between on-premises networks and Azure. It must be installed on a machine inside the corporate firewall, enabling secure communication via outbound HTTPS (port 443) to Azure. This is the only IR type that can access private, on-premises data sources directly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Azure Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
Azure Integration Runtime is Microsoft-managed and cloud-hosted, so it cannot reach an on-premises SQL Server without a self-hosted runtime bridging the network. It is tempting because it is the default runtime for cloud-to-cloud movement, and would be correct for Azure Blob Storage or Azure SQL sources, not on-premises ones.
- ✓
Self-hosted Integration Runtime
Why this is correct
A self-hosted integration runtime runs on a machine inside the on-premises network, giving Azure Data Factory a secure outbound channel to SQL Server without inbound firewall openings. The Azure-hosted runtime cannot reach on-premises sources directly.
- ✗
Managed Virtual Network Integration Runtime
Why it's wrong here
A Managed Virtual Network integration runtime runs inside Azure, so it cannot reach an on-premises SQL Server directly; it secures connections to Azure services behind private endpoints. It is tempting because it handles network isolation, which would be correct for Azure-hosted sources requiring private connectivity, not for on-premises data.
- ✗
Azure Data Factory Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Azure Data Factory Gateway is not a component; the on-premises connectivity component is the self-hosted integration runtime, installed on a local machine to reach SQL Server. The gateway name belongs to Azure VPN or Power BI contexts, tempting because it sounds like the on-premises bridge, but it cannot execute Data Factory copy activities.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DP-203 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Self-hosted Integration RuntimeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A self-hosted integration runtime runs on a machine inside the on-premises network, giving Azure Data Factory a secure outbound channel to SQL Server without inbound firewall openings. The Azure-hosted runtime cannot reach on-premises sources directly.
✗Azure Integration RuntimeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Azure IR runs in the cloud and cannot access on-premises networks directly.
✗Managed Virtual Network Integration RuntimeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Managed VNet IR is for secure access to Azure resources, not on-premises.
✗Azure Data Factory GatewayWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
While historically called Gateway, the correct term is Self-hosted Integration Runtime.
Analysis generated from the official DP-203blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-203 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-203 exam.